Jazzical Moods

John LaPorta, Charles Mingus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000Z9V
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of albums from the Jazz great on one CD. Features the complete original Charles Mingus album Jazzical Moods, which originally appeared as two 10 inch LPs. To complement this brilliant album, we have added the complete LP The Moods Of Mingus, recorded by the bassist during the same period and with a very similar personnel. Includes 16-page booklet. Poll Winners. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obscure Masterpiece?, April 27, 2003

By 

Trent (KS, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazzical Moods (Audio CD)

Certainly when someone thinks of Mingus' top 5 or even top 10 albums, this one is not likely to come up very often. However, I am completely blown away with the genius arrangement of these works, as well as the ingeniuity and creativity of all the solos on this album. I realize that the band played particular arrangements composed by Mingus throughout parts of the album, however I believe the solos are for the most part spontaneous. This in itself is truly incredible when you listen to the solos by the horns, (as well as Mingus on both bass and piano), and they seem so logical that you literally swear they must have been pre-conceived! It honestly seems like every note played by the soloist's was supposed to be there.. no more, no less required. The interplay and harmonics between the horns and other instruments is completely priceless and reveals much more each time it is listened to. I owned a poorer quality bootleg of this album (intrusions) and I am certainly glad I picked this up. The remastering is done well and is much clearer. The highlights of this album are tracks 1,3,5,6,7. Tracks 2 and 4 are interesting enough, with the former being led by Thad Jones' excellent trumpet work, and the latter by A cello part. Track 4 is my least favorite due to the cello. Tracks 1,6, and 7 are great tunes that swing hard and can be appreciated by nearly any jazz fan. Tracks 3 and 5 are a bit more abstract and require careful listening to dissect the genius melodic interplay occuring between the horns. If you don't hear it at first, listen again, it's there, trust me, and it makes real musical sense!! Hands down my favorite of the Mingus albums I own thus far.